How I Lowered My Cholesterol 50 Points in 3 Months – Naturally!

A few months ago, after a regular check-up, my doctor called to tell me that I had high cholesterol, something that I know runs in my family. He immediately wanted to put me on meds, but I was hesitant, having heard about myriad . I asked my doctor if I could have 6 months to try to lower my cholesterol naturally. He gave me 3. This is how I did it.

Lower your cholesterol without meds.

I had heard from various friends and family members that I should just go on medication for my cholesterol since I’m not (too) overweight, go to the gym regularly, and my diet doesn’t seem to be a factor (I don’t eat red meat or cheese). I was told that my cholesterol was high because of my age and my family history. Still, I was determined to give it my best shot.

As you read, keep in mind that I’m not a doctor, just a person who did her research – and had success. Nothing written here should be construed as medical advice. When in doubt, consult your physician.

Here was my strategy. First, I added:

Supplements.

Cholestoff. The nurse practitioner in my doctor’s office recommended to me. This was a game changer. Made entirely of plant sterols and stanals, which are proven to reduce dietary cholesterol. 2 pills twice a day works like gangbusters. You can find a big, economy-sized bottle at Costco. If you take these pills religiously, you will see your cholesterol drop. Please note: For those who have trouble swallowing pills, these are rather large.

Red Yeast Rice pills. These are another natural supplement that I was also able to find at Costco. In Chinese medicine, is used to lower cholesterol, improve blood circulation, and improve digestion. contains chemicals that are similar to prescription statin medications.

Resveratrol pills. Actually, my doctor recommended red wine, which contains resveratrol naturally, but I like white wine, not red. I decided on pills instead and found these at Costco. According to the , resveratrol antioxidants may increase levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and protect against cholesterol buildup.

Additional supplements: I also added and pills daily, both of which have been found to help lower cholesterol naturally.

Foods: The “Yes” List.

Some great foods for lowering your cholesterol are:

Salmon

Nuts

Oatmeal

Dark chocolate

Beans (kidney, navy, pinto, black, chickpea or butter beans)

I did my best to try to eat these frequently, if not every day. Note: Not all oatmeal is created equal. Look for the less-sugary, natural brands. Also: Nuts can be very fattening, so don’t go crazy! And as for chocolate, a tiny taste is best. I found Trader Joe’s Dark Cacoa Nibs to be just what the doctor ordered. And eating a cup of any type of a day can lower cholesterol by as much as 10% in 6 weeks.

For liquids, choose:

Green tea

Dark grape juice

Pomegranate juice

Blueberry juice

Red wine

Green tea, if consumed plain, has zero calories, but the others do not, so moderation is key if you’re worried about weight gain.

Foods: The “No” List.

Cheese

Butter

Eggs

Milk

Cream

Ice cream

Meats (eat less of these)

Fried foods

Suggestions: The more you can eat plant-based foods, the better. Try to reign in dairy and meat consumption. Even chicken and turkey contain cholesterol, not just red meats. Opt for margarine instead of butter. Egg whites or Egg Replacer instead of eggs. Cut back on foods like pizza.

Eat at home to control your ingredients. But if you plan on eating out, ask for a nutrition guide! This is a must because you can’t just “guess” that an El Torito Grilled Chicken Quesadilla has 481 mgs of cholesterol. If the restaurant’s nutrition guide doesn’t include cholesterol, go somewhere else!

Exercise is helpful. But you already knew this.

Weight loss helps. Easier said than done. (I think I actually gained weight, due to binging on nuts.)

Stick to it!

Lowering your cholesterol is not hard if you are willing to adjust your diet and take your supplements. If your New Year’s Resolution is to lower your cholesterol, this “diet” is something you can stick to and see results. I am living proof! After 3 months, I took another blood test and my doctor told me that my cholesterol was normal and I didn’t need to go on meds. After a few slip-ups over Christmas (it’s hard to stay on any diet during the holidays!), I am back to taking my supplements and doing my best to eat well so that my cholesterol levels don’t spike again.

I have tried taking cholestoff and it did help. Problem is they were so HUGE and difficult for me to swallow I stopped taking them and went up to 279! If this was available in a smaller pill or chew Id take them.

A note here… I cannot take statin drugs, and after the 2nd time, unfortunately for me, in 2014, I still suffer side effects of them. So I considered red yeast too as I read it helped. But there was as warning someplace that you should be aware that you can suffer a similar side effects as a statin drug, so I didn’t take it.

I am in your exact same boat! Taking 10 different supplements now instead of one cholesterol pill (I have till April to get the number down). Any suggestions for adding more beans?? I can eat more fruit and veggies easy, also added oatmeal and nuts, but I’m making dinner for the family and I’m stuck on beans.

Uugghh😟 I was told at my recent Dr.’s. My cholesterol level is high. I’m like huh😱
I “thought” I was eating healthy. Knowing I rather look for natural ways to heal my body, my Dr. gave me until my next appt to lower it. I have been researching and researching, and stumbled on this site. Thank for sharing.

Thank you for providing this info. I also had my cholesterol tested late December 2017 and was advised to start statin meds. I actually filled the prescription, but could not bring myself to take the first pill. I wanted to try diet and exercise first.

I modified my diet in many of the same ways as you, but did not take the supplements.

I ate many of the good foods from your list. Cheerios, and Outmeal for breakfast. Skim Milk or Soy milk mixed with cut up fruit (grapes, banana, strawberries), or blueberries.

I cut way back on Red Meat also. Vegan Burgers are really a good substitute.
No Sugar – this is hard to do because sugar is in many foods. Non Fat is not Non Sugar or sweetener.

I would be careful on Juice Drinks these contain sugar or sweeteners. WATER is better.

I ate Lentils as much as possible and for Lunch Salads or Veggie Burgers.

Some unconventional tricks. I used Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Avocado for replacement for Salad Dressing and Mayo. I actually like the taste of the Olive Oil, but I know this might be unusual.

5 Servings of Fruit Daily. Also eat Vegetables with meals. Salmon is so good unfortunately so expensive. I still tried to eat weeky.

Oat Bread is the only bread .

Force Exercise. I shovelled the snow by hand vs. the snowblower. Cut felled trees and split by hand. Used stairs for a couple of flights.
I also exercised by walking or jogging with our young dog nearly every day.

Well the good news is I lowered my cholesterol by 79 points in 3 months. Although just prior to my year end physical exam I had been eating quite poorly , eggs. holiday sweets. and fruit juices.

Hi…this info has been very helpful..do you have a list of no cholesterol foods?
Today I am going to get the natural supplements to help lower mine…I can’t take the prescription drugs…thank you for all of your help …
I have blood work done again in three months…
Thank you for all of your help, Sharon

I also have very high tryglicerides. I didn’t do well with statins or red yeast rice. My numbers are so high my dr told me to megadose on Niacine which I couldn’t tolerate either. Next I megadosed on vitamins E and couldn’t tolerate that either. I know that may sound strange but I’m just one of those people that are ultra-sensitive to anything I take and usually the smallest amounts of things work in other cases for me. Finally I had to try a non-statin med that only attacks triglycerides. It’s called Lopid or actually I’m on the generic Gemfibrozil. I took 1 600mg pill before breakfast and one before dinner. In one month my triglycerides went from 391 to 170. I did also do everything possible to eat right as well. I’m still not in the normal range but my Dr says only one more month will probably do the trick and then I can come off the meds and continue eating right and see how that goes. I am so relieved…no more palpitations or feeling like my heart is skipping a beat. That feeling scared me into taking my treatment seriously. I’m only 58 and didn’t know I was so bad off. It wasn’t until I changed Dr’s that it got caught. Just a different perspective for those of you out there that think you’re tried everything.